UBC shuts down Perch Restaurant after just a few months

DH Vancouver StaffFeb 15, 2016 2:58 pm

They say university is a time to figure out what works and what doesn’t, and this seems to apply to campus restaurants, too. Today the AMS Student Society of UBC Vancouver (AMS) announced that they are closing down Perch, the upscale restaurant in the new AMS Student Nest building, effective immediately.

Opened in September 2015, Perch aimed to elevate–literally and figuratively–the dining experience on the UBC campus, giving students, staff, and visitors a place to dine that offered something a little nicer than the more fast food or casual eateries in operation.

Perch boasted Chef de Cuisine Gus Stieffenhofer-Brandson, previously of Burnaby’s critical darling, the Pear Tree, and a menu of sustainable and local west coast-inspired fare. The restaurant aslo offered a regionally-focused wine list, craft beers, and cocktails. The elegant, brightly lit, and glass-heavy space offered indoor and outdoor seating on the Student Nest rooftop level.

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“After six months in operation, it became apparent that Perch did not catch on with students,” notes a press release regarding Perch’s closure.

The space can now be used as a rental venue, and the AMS is working to determine what long-term solution they can come up with for the vacant restaurant. Perch staff will be redistributed among other AMS campus services.

Aaron Bailey, AMS president states: “It was a very difficult decision to close Perch. If you had a chance to eat at Perch, you know the food and the service was incredible. The Perch team is extremely talented and worked hard to create a truly unique dining experience.”